Tymoshenko makes video appeal

on 29/09/2012 12:52:01

Ukraine's jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is urging her country to defeat President Viktor Yanukovych's party in next month's parliamentary election.

In an emotional video appeal, Mrs Tymoshenko accused Mr Yanukovych of turning Ukraine into a "police state".

Her lawyer says the video, released today, was recorded by him on a mobile phone in a hospital where she is receiving treatment for back pain. It was the first such video since she was jailed over a year ago on charges of abuse of office.

The West has condemned her imprisonment as politically motivated. Mrs Tymoshenko urged Ukrainians to support her party in the October 28 election and end Mr Yanukovych's alleged "criminal" rule.

Mr Yanukovych's Party of Regions hopes to maintain its parliamentary majority; the next presidential election is in 2015.